Chess Puzzle #X20G9 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/d3; knight b1; pawns a2/b3/d6/e3/f2/h2. Black: king e8; queen h3; rooks c8/g8; knights d7/h5; pawns a7/b5/e6/f4/f7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook f1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg1+ — rook g8→g1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg1 (king h1→g1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc5 — rook c8→c5. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Rg5 — rook c5→g5. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop d3→e4).
5. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f4→e3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight b1→d2).
6. Best move: exf2 — pawn e3→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen e2→f2, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Ng3+ — knight h5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg3 (queen f2→g3, captures knight).
8. Best move: Rxg3 — rook g5→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k1r1/p2n1p1p/3Pp3/1p5n/5p2/1P1BP2q/PB2QP1P/RN3R1K w - - 2 19

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